22/12/2025
*Free CHRISTMAS DAY: WHAT A CHILD’S BEHAVIOUR IS REALLY TELLING YOU (POSTER)*
Comment CHRISTMAS and we will send you a message with a link to a free printable PDF of this resource.
This poster puts into words what many adults see on Christmas Day but struggle to understand.
When a child covers their ears, refuses clothes or food, runs off, clings to one adult, repeats questions or has a meltdown, it is easy to label the behaviour as rude, spoilt or defiant. This poster clearly shows that these behaviours are signs of overwhelm and coping, not bad behaviour.
The poster explains how Christmas Day can overload a child’s nervous system through noise, crowds, pressure, new routines, strong smells and sensory input. It helps adults look underneath the behaviour and understand what the child is trying to manage in that moment.
This resource is especially helpful for children who experience anxiety, sensory overload, emotional regulation difficulties, autism, ADHD or trauma related stress. It supports a calm, trauma informed and needs led response focused on safety, predictability and connection.
